As I sit here writing this afternoon, the hope of spring is in the air. It is a beautiful, sunny day with just a touch of wind and a temperature of 54 degrees. It is just a tease because we have a 50% chance of snow tomorrow! The unexpected is typical for March’s weather as winter comes to a close. With spring around the corner, I can’t help but think about weekend get-a-ways and spring break trips. My family loves to take a trip over spring break before it gets too hot.

There is something to be said for traveling in the “off-season.”  No crowds, travel deals and experiencing a destination as it wakes up from winter!  We often try to take a major vacation in the spring. I loved being able to take my kids to an attraction and they could get up close and personal without fighting throngs of people. My kids have the same great vacation memories, it was just cooler. We have also returned to many destinations during the peak season because we went in the off season.

Before our family moved to Cody, we visited in January and in April. Many of the “major” attractions were not open but there was plenty to do and see. I remember how friendly the shop keepers were. All asked where we were from and what brought us to Cody. As a traveler, I love visiting with the local’s. You can often learn a lot more about the area and find hidden treasures! There are also great sales going on in Cody in the Spring as merchants prepare for the summer season.

The Buffalo Bill Historical Center is a major highlight in Cody and is open year round. The five museums within the center offer everything from a western art gallery, a Plains Indian section, the Bill Cody museum, a Yellowstone ecosystem section and the largest firearms collection in the country. You can easily spend a full day at the Center exploring each of these museums. The Draper Museum is my kid’s favorite part of the center! There are lots of hands-on exhibits on the animals of Yellowstone.

Cody is home to Sleeping Giant Ski Area.  Located in the Northfork area outside of Cody, you will be amazed at the scenic views as you ski your way down the mountain. In addition to the main runs, the area offers a great terrain park as well as the bunny hill with a Magic Carpet. The ski area’s lessons, equipment and lift tickets are very well priced.  Sleeping Giant is open through Easter.

Heart Mountain Interpretive Learning Center is located just outside of Cody and is open Wednesday to Saturday. The Center is an important site of American history where 14,000 Japanese-Americans were interned during WWII. The Center houses exhibits and artifacts that capture a sense of life for the internees.  The Center is a great place for all ages to experience a part of history that they may not have learned in school. It is definitely a must-see.

If you have not experienced springtime in the mountains, it should be on your “bucket list!” I love watching the mountains come to life with vibrant colors. Spring also means wildlife and babies! There is nothing cuter than a newborn bison! The East Entrance of Yellowstone National Park opens on May 4^th and there are usually a lot of newborn bison roaming in the herds. We always go into the Park on that weekend. It is cool and crisp and amazing wildlife viewing. We have definitely seen the most wildlife on our May trips. We pack a picnic lunch and make sure to hit Old Faithful, the Upper Geyser Basin and the Hayden Valley. It is beautiful! There are only a few lodging options that are open in May but they have great deals.

Think spring and make plans to visit Cody/Yellowstone Country!

Until next time, I’ll be lovin’ life in Buffalo Bill’s Country!

 Corrie N. Cody

Cody is definitely the place to find your inner cowboy. In fact, Cody is featured in the February issue of Western Horseman magazine as one of the Top Ten Cowboy Towns!  I think we all have a little cowboy/cowgirl in us.  If you are over 40, you probably spent some time during your childhood playing “Cowboys and Indians.”  Some of us even remember watching old westerns on TV. I grew up with a father that was a huge John Wayne fan and a mother that loved Roy Rogers!  Needless to say, I watched a lot of westerns. Remember how romantic ranch life seemed in those movies? I long for the days when men worked from the back of a horse and women tended to the home and children.  I often say that I was born 100 years too late. Luckily for me there are still western towns where the cowboy is still cherished and loved. Cody and the surrounding towns of Powell and Meeteetse embrace the cowboy and western way of life.

You may not know that there are still wild horses roaming the free range in Wyoming and Cody is lucky enough to have one of the largest herds just outside of town. Take a guided tour of the McCullough Peaks herd or venture out on your own. This colorful herd spreads out over vast open range but tends to hang out in small groups. If you take a guided tour, your chances of spotting the horses are high. It is not unusual to also see pronghorn antelope, rabbit, sage grouse and other species of birds in the area. You also get a great 360 view of the basin from the rangeland.

When exploring the western lifestyle, you have to sample the food. With many cattle ranches surrounding the Cody area, you are sure to get great beef. A local favorite is prime rib and you can find it on the menu at most of the western restaurants in town. Don’t miss the Irma Hotel’s prime rib buffet. This is Buffalo Bill’s famous hotel. The dining room exudes western charm with a spectacular bar that was given to Buffalo Bill by Queen Elizabeth. Cassie’s Supper Club is a great steakhouse known for its Porterhouse steak and dancing. Opened in 1922 by Cassie Waters, a local madam, this historic restaurant was Voted “One of the Top 20 Steakhouses in the West” by Cowboys and Indians magazine. You are sure to have a memorable meal!

Cowboys and music have always gone together.  Many wonderful songs of the cowboy life were written by campfires out on the trail. Today, those songs can still be enjoyed when you spend an evening at Dan Miller’s Cowboy Music Revue. This Branson-style, family show offers Americana, bluegrass, songs of the American West and cowboy poetry in the comfort of the historic Cody Theatre. The theatre is located in the heart of downtown Cody across from the Irma Hotel. Special dinner at the Irma/theatre packages are available all summer long.  Both get rave reviews from folks of all ages.

When you think “Cowboy,” you think rodeo. Cody is the Rodeo Capital of the World. It is the only place with a rodeo every night all summer long. I have heard it said that most rodeo champions have spent time in Cody perfecting their skills. Spend two exciting hours watching cowboys and cowgirls display their amazing skills. All ages are sure to love the thrills and spills of the rodeo. Don’t be surprised to meet some of the contestants downtown during the day signing autographs or hanging out with visitors.

If the rodeo inspires you to rope and ride, you might want to explore some of the local ranches.  There are dude ranches where you stay for a week and really find your inner cowboy. You can work on your riding and roping skills. Some ranches even let you help with the chores! If you just want a taste of the cowboy experience, you can visit one of Cody/Yellowstone Country’s guest ranches. These ranches offer day packages.   You may just want to take a drive to the cattle ranches in the Meeteetse area and fantasize about being a cowboy.

Make Cody/Yellowstone Country part of your Yellowstone vacation or just do Cody. Either way, you’ll have a wonderful western vacation!

Until next time, I’ll be lovin’ life in Buffalo Bill’s country!

Corrie N. Cody

You may not know that the Southfork Valley west of Cody is known for its winter ice climbing. In fact, it is considered the best place in the lower 48 to go ice climbing. Each February, ice climbers from all over the country flock to this area for the annual Waterfall Ice Festival to climb, learn and socialize with others passionate about the sport. This year’s event is the 14^th annual and will be held February 17-20^th. The festival has clinics on the Southfork each day with dinner and evening events at the Cody Auditorium.

This year’s event includes a slide presentation by Pete Tapley, professional guide, writer, photographer and videographer on Friday evening. A silent auction and presentation by Ralph Tingery, “The Grand Rescue: A True Story of 1967 Teton Rangers” will round out the day on Saturday. Sunday evening will conclude the event with a pizza party, slide show and music. These events are open to the public.

Event organizer, Don Foote, says that this year’s event has the most participants the festival has ever seen. Foote says that the festival has “some of the best instructors, guides, professional athletes and gear reps supporting us and helping the clinics be safe, successful and fun for all ice climbers.” Local company, Jackson Hole Mountain Guides will be helping in the clinics as well as Montana Alpine Guides from Bozeman, MT. Foote reports that the Southfork ice is in its prime right now and has seen little activity this winter.

Sunlight Sports in downtown Cody is the spot to get outfitted for your climbing adventure. They have a full line of ice climbing gear to rent, including ice tools, crampons and boots. Owner Wes Allen says they will have a 40% off sale on ice-specific gear that weekend. He also says they are the only place in town with the Joe Josephson guide to the South Fork and the classic Todd Cozzens map. Sunlight Sports also carries a wide variety of quality outdoor clothing and gear. Be sure to stop in!

For those not climbing, it is worth the beautiful ride up the Southfork to watch.  In the winter, big horn sheep are all over the valley. You may even spot a moose, elk or a bald eagle on your drive.  There are several spots along the road to watch the climber’s progress. Back in town, be sure to hit the downtown shops, restaurants and Buffalo Bill Historical Center. Another highlight is the city of Cody’s wonderful recreation center that is a great spot for swimming and exercise for those waiting for their climbers. Daily passes are very reasonable.

Whether you are a participant or just want to hang out and learn more about the sport, this festival will not disappoint. Experience Cody during a great winter festival! To learn more about the festival visit www.southforkice.com. We hope to see you in Cody!

Until next time, I’ll be lovin’ life in Buffalo Bill’s Country!

              Corrie N. Cody

Well planned business retreats can be productive, fun and exciting. They can also be mundane and boring, it all depends on the venue.  Bet you never thought about hanging out in a cool western town outside of Yellowstone for a business retreat!  The natural splendor of the area makes it an ideal spot for a unique and affordable business retreat, especially for team building and morale boosting. Cody/Yellowstone Country is a great destination for renewing, refreshing and reconnecting. What better setting than the mountains to renew your passion for life and work.

Cody has several options for retreats depending upon the size of the group. Area dude and guest ranches are perfect for smaller groups. Ranches typically offer all-inclusive packages for groups so it is easy for the group planner. Most have wonderful lodges that provide unique backdrops for the nitty-gritty meeting times. Ranches also provide a range of activities and relaxation opportunities ensuring that everyone in the group has something to look forward to. Most provide horseback riding, fly-fishing, hiking and spa services. Evening activities such as campfires, cowboy singers and poets,  or wagon rides allow for a casual atmosphere to get to know each other. Fresh air and a change of scenery can do wonders for the creative process. You would be surprised at the ideas people come up with when taken out of the confines of their normal routine!

For groups with up to 75, The Cody is a great choice.  This boutique hotel is quaint yet luxurious. Beautifully appointed guest rooms are comfortable and have all the modern conveniences including iPod docking stations and high speed internet.  The meeting space is beautifully decorated and relaxing. Hopefully you will spend more time outside than inside! The Cody’s location is perfect for setting out on the adventure portion of your retreat.  Each evening refreshments are available for your group to enjoy in the comfortable lobby or on the patio outside. Snack, relax and visit before heading out to one of Cody’s great restaurants. Want to make your employees feel pampered and special, have your retreat at The Cody. 

For large groups, I suggest the Holiday Inn. They know how to handle large groups and they do it well!  They have great meeting space and banquet facilities for groups up to 350. State of the art equipment is available to meet all of your groups technology needs. As the only full service convention property in Cody, the Holiday Inn has a nice restaurant and lounge. Evening banquet dinners are available with western themes to enhance your “western” retreat. The hotel is conveniently located to the downtown area which is great for taking an evening stroll to a restaurant or to check out shops. 

Team building is such an important part of retreats and the Cody/Yellowstone area has so many options. For the adventurous group, I would suggest horseback riding, learning to fly fish, hiking, and river rafting. Take advantage of Sunlight Sports Outdoor Concierge for coordinating activities. For those looking for more relaxed options, I would suggest golf, exploring the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, a sightseeing trip into Yellowstone, a historical visit to the Heart Mountain Interpretive Learning Center or a trip to view the wild horses of the McCullough Peaks. Combining some adventure and sightseeing might be ideal for your group. It is not hard to schedule plenty to do for your group.

So “think outside the box” and plan your company’s next retreat in Cody/Yellowstone Country!

So what are the “Must Dos” in Cody/Yellowstone Country?

The Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody is a necessity when visiting the Cody area. The Center is often referred to as the “Smithsonian of the West.”  My family never tires of the Center. You can learn about Buffalo Bill, the Plains Indians, western art and Yellowstone. The Center also boasts the largest collection of firearms in the world-a favorite of the males in my family! Don’t forget to check out the gift shop for great souvenirs. You can bundle your museum trip with the Cody Trolley Tour at a discounted rate. The Trolley will pick you up at the front door of the museum and take you on an hour long tour.  This 22-mile tour in a classic trolley explores places, people and lore of the area.

Step back in time as you stroll through the original town site of Cody located at Old Trail Town. Historic buildings of the area have been carefully moved to the site in addition to authentic artifacts. My favorite building is the saloon. It is a quaint building with great character. This saloon could probably hold about 20 people. We forget that Hollywood has depicted saloons as sprawling buildings when in fact they were small. That is why western boom towns had so many saloons!

Buffalo Bill had many dreams for Cody and the Buffalo Bill Dam was one that was achieved. When it was completed in 1910, it was the tallest concrete dam in the world.  The dam visitor center is a great spot to enjoy tranquil waters of the reservoir and take the audio tour to learn about the dams construction and the area wildlife. The dam is also a great spot for a picnic lunch.

One of Cody’s best kept secrets is Tecumseh’s Trading Post out by the Rodeo grounds. Tecumseh’s is an old west museum and old west miniature village. My kids can’t get enough of the 7000 sq. ft. miniature village that depicts the historical events in Wyoming and Montana from the 1600’s to the 1800’s. The miniature train that can be controlled by visitors is a favorite for kids of all ages. The western artifacts rival most museums. This family owned and operated collection is truly special. They graciously share their collection with the public at no charge!

Meeteetse also has a wonderful treasure in the Meeteetse Chocolatier! Sample gourmet confections made by owner Tim Kellogg who is also a bronc rider and working cowboy. These chocolate delights are made by using only the finest ingredients and are meant to be enjoyed in the “here and now.” Don’t miss this unique shop with amazing treats located on the quaint boardwalk in Meeteetse!

Heart Mountain Interpretive Learning Center between Cody and Powell is an amazing learning opportunity for everyone in the family.  Ten thousand Japanese-Americans were interned at this facility during World War II. Learn about why and how the internees spent their time at the camp. The Center offers a self-guided tour in addition to the Learning Center.  You can pick up the Cody Trolley for a tour to the Center and through area farm land.

Cody has the longest running nightly rodeo in the country which has earned it the distinction of being the “Rodeo Capital of the World.” Rodeo season begins June 1st through August 31st. Enjoy this outdoor rodeo with plenty of excitement and mountain views.  Whether this is your first rodeo or you are a connoisseur, it is sure to be a great time!  

Dan Miller’s Cowboy Music Revue is a wonderful Branson/style music show that is a family favorite.  Enjoy classic cowboy favorites, poetry and much more. If you want to truly experience the West, you must take in the Dan Miller’s show!

These are just the highlights in Cody/Yellowstone Country. There are so many great things to do from the relaxing to the adventurous. Don’t forget to minimize the stress of planning by allowing everyone in the family a voice in the vacation!

Until next time, happy traveling in Cody Country!